Indian famous birds

Himalayan  monal

The Fire-tailed Myzornis was a close second.

The voting to select the 'Most Beautiful Bird in India' is now closed, but the presentation remains available for all to enjoy.

In conclusion, it goes without saying that these are not the only striking birds around us. Picking a top 10 is never about which bird to include but which to leave out. Beauty does lie in the eye of the beholder, and this is even more appropriate for birds and like. So it is certain that some of these birds may not even make your list. But it is good to make a start – if for nothing else but to know more about the birds in our country, to appreciate them, and to support them in their fight for survival.

Fire-tailed Myzornis (Myzornis pyrrhoura)

This tiny 12cm bright green jewel occurs in the moist and mossy subtropical and tropical Himalayan forests. Usually found in mixed hunting flocks of tiny birds, this species often feeds actively in the dense canopy when it is a sight to behold.

The Fire-tailed Myzornis is the sole member of the genus Myzornis and is tenuously placed in the Old World babbler family. It is found from India to Myanmar

                                          Sarus Crane (Grus antigone)

The Sarus, at 156cms, is our tallest  bird. The Sarus has a special place in the heart of Indians because of their beauty and their strong pair-bonding.

Once a common sight in wetlands and agricultural fields over much of India, the Sarus today has sadly dwindled in numbers and is considered to be a vulnerable species.

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds of the order Gruiformes, and family Gruidae.

                                                Indian Pitta (Pitta brachyura)

The 20 cm Indian Pitta is a small and dumpy bird which occurs in many parts of the country. Its brilliant colours light up the dark and wet forest understory in which it leads a shy existence.

A resident species, this Pitta breeds in the north and winters down south and can occur almost anywhere on migration. Pittas are passerine birds of the family, Pittidae which occur mainly in tropical Asia and Australasia. The name Pitta is derived from the  Telegu word 'pitta' which means a small bird.

                                               Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus)

India's national bird is also its largest. Adult males with their long green train measure 230cms. The drabber females are much smaller at 86cms. The male’s shimmering fanned display is one of the most beautiful sights in nature.

The Indian Peafowl is a resident species in the subcontinent and can be found inmoist or dry deciduous forests, forest edges and near human habitation.

Peafowls belong to the genus Pavo of the pheasant family, Phasianidae.


                                            Asian Paradise-flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi)

A slim and crested arboreal bird, the fairy-like adult male Asian Paradise-flycatcher is adorned with drooping 30cm long central tail feathers. The females are only 20cm long and lack the tail streamers. Males may be milk white or rufous, with a glossy black head and crest. The species inhabits forests and well-wooded areas.

The Asian Paradise-flycatcher belongs to the monarch family ~ a diverse family of passerine birds with a mostly Old World distribution.

                                         Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus) 

The Himalayan Monal is a scarce near-endemic pheasant found in the higher altitudes of the Himalaya. It is Nepal's national bird. The 72cm male is a sight to behold in the cold dark landscape of the high Himalaya. Females are drabber in comparison and are smaller in size.

The Monal is placed in the genus Lophophorus of the Pheasant family, Phasianidae. There are three species within the genus Lophophorus of which two occur in India.

                                    Mrs. Gould's Sunbird (Aethopyga gouldiae)

This small and energetic 15cm nectar feeder inhabits out montane forests in the north and north-east of the country. The female is short-tailed and inconspicuous in comparison to the flashy male.

Sunbirds and spiderhunters are small passerine birds of the family, Nectariniidae which is distributed across Africa, Asia and Australia. India has 12 species of sunbirds.

                                         Satyr Tragopan (Tragopan Satyra)

The Satyr Tragopan is a rare resident pheasant which occurs at high elevations in the Himalaya. Male Satyr's are 68cm and are a bright crimson red with white spots. Females are smaller and less conspicuous.

Tragopans are often called “horned pheasants” because they display horn-like projections during courtship. They have an Asian distribution and belong to the Pheasant family, Phasianidae. 4 out of the 5 known species occur in India.

The Satyr is faced with habitat destruction and hunting pressure and is now considered to be near-threatened